Ed Reed might be 'comfortable' at home but we shouldn't read too much into it

By Ryan Wilson | CBSSports.com

July 10, 2012 8:48 AM ET

Seeking a new deal, Reed hints at retirement, but it's probably just talk. (US PRESSWIRE)

In April, Ravens safety Ed Reed said during a radio appearance that "I got some unfinished business. I got a lot on my mind I've been thinking about. The truth of the matter is, it's about respect. It's about getting respect and it's a business." He was speaking specifically about renegotiating a new deal that has yet to happen. A month later, he hinted at retirement before quickly backtracking. On Monday, Reed was in the news again, this time because of something he tweeted.

As the Baltimore Sun's Matt Vensel wrote Tuesday afternoon, "Though Reed was clearly trying to catch the Ravens' attention with the Tweet, I would caution against reading too much into one Tweet. Why do I say that? Because it's Reed. I would caution against reading too much into anything Reed says, at least when it comes to his playing status."

Which is basically what happened after newsoutlets picked up Reed's words and concluded that the tweet was a commentary on the Ravens' safety willingness to stay home without a new deal. (It's not much of a leap given that Reed missed minicamp and has previously stated his desire to renegotiate his contract.)

The inevitable coverage led Reed to again take to Twitter to wonder why working in his yard is newsworthy.

"We tweet about our camps with kids throughout offseason why That never makes espn, nfl.com etc... This probably won't get a RT," he tweeted, followed a short time later by this: "Players that have2be smart business men,in a business that don't care an inch about them though we grind for that inch-notalwaysrightbutreal."

As recently as last month, head coach John Harbaugh said he hadn't spoken with Reed but didn't sound concerned about the future Hall of Famer playing in 2012. “Not to make too much out of it, I have tremendous respect for Ed,” Harbaugh said in June. “I've used the word admiration. I'm not worried about Ed being ready. I said a couple of weeks ago that I know Ed's going to be working hard getting himself ready for the season.”

So it sounds like Reed has every intention of showing up, at least to hear his coach and teammate tell it. In the meantime, maybe the Ravens safety shouldn't talk to the media. Just so there's no confusion.